Focus on Jesus BUILDING ON THE FOUNDATION
And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. John 17:19.
The mission of the remnant people was to build on the foundation of the Reformation. That's why we have so much information concerning sanctification. The world is still waiting to hear the twofold message of justification by faith, and sanctification by faith as well.
Some feel that the good news of sanctification is that Jesus is always our substitute in living, as well as in dying. This is not the case. Please notice a difference here, for it is very important. Those who believe that Jesus continues to be our substitute in living, as well as in dying, believe that we can't obey--so He has obeyed for us. His sanctification is in our place. If this is true, then we will be sinning and falling and failing right up to glorification; but they say, Jesus' life will substitute for our lives, and our lack of obedience will be covered by His obedience.
Sanctification by faith, on the other hand, accepts Jesus as our example. It finds Him to be our pattern in sanctification, that we might be sanctified in the same way in which He was sanctified. In sanctification by faith, we are invited to live as Jesus did, through dependence upon a power from above, and the same obedience that He experienced we can experience as well, through the faith relationship with God.
"Christ declared He sanctified Himself, that we also might be sanctified. He took upon Himself our nature, and became a faultless pattern for men. He made no mistakes that we also might become victors, and enter into His kingdom as overcomers....We are to be brought into a sacred nearness with the world's Redeemer. We are to be one with Christ as He is one with the Father. What a wonderful change the people of God experience in coming into unity with the Son of God! We are to have our tastes, inclinations, ambitions, passions all subdued, and brought into harmony with the mind and Spirit of Christ. This is the very work that the Lord is willing to do for those who believe in Him. The Spirit of Christ is to have a controlling influence over the life of His followers....The grace of Christ is to work a wonderful transformation in the life and character of its receiver."--My Life Today, p. 252.
And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. John 17:19.
The mission of the remnant people was to build on the foundation of the Reformation. That's why we have so much information concerning sanctification. The world is still waiting to hear the twofold message of justification by faith, and sanctification by faith as well.
Some feel that the good news of sanctification is that Jesus is always our substitute in living, as well as in dying. This is not the case. Please notice a difference here, for it is very important. Those who believe that Jesus continues to be our substitute in living, as well as in dying, believe that we can't obey--so He has obeyed for us. His sanctification is in our place. If this is true, then we will be sinning and falling and failing right up to glorification; but they say, Jesus' life will substitute for our lives, and our lack of obedience will be covered by His obedience.
Sanctification by faith, on the other hand, accepts Jesus as our example. It finds Him to be our pattern in sanctification, that we might be sanctified in the same way in which He was sanctified. In sanctification by faith, we are invited to live as Jesus did, through dependence upon a power from above, and the same obedience that He experienced we can experience as well, through the faith relationship with God.
"Christ declared He sanctified Himself, that we also might be sanctified. He took upon Himself our nature, and became a faultless pattern for men. He made no mistakes that we also might become victors, and enter into His kingdom as overcomers....We are to be brought into a sacred nearness with the world's Redeemer. We are to be one with Christ as He is one with the Father. What a wonderful change the people of God experience in coming into unity with the Son of God! We are to have our tastes, inclinations, ambitions, passions all subdued, and brought into harmony with the mind and Spirit of Christ. This is the very work that the Lord is willing to do for those who believe in Him. The Spirit of Christ is to have a controlling influence over the life of His followers....The grace of Christ is to work a wonderful transformation in the life and character of its receiver."--My Life Today, p. 252.
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